But with Pierson, Kansas’ most dynamic offensive player, all but certain to miss Saturday’s game while recuperating from a concussion, it’s next man up at the flanker position.

Brandon Bourbon is that guy.

“The role will be pretty similar, even though they’re not the same type of player,” coach Charlie Weis said. “Remember now, Brandon may not be a 4.3 (40-yard dash) guy, but he’s a 4.5 guy. Just because he’s 220, people don’t realize he’s one of the faster guys we have, especially for his size.

“He has good ball skills, we can play him in the backfield and out of the backfield. He’s been, I wouldn’t call him a pleasant surprise, but we’re just really pleased with his development.”

Bourbon, a 6-foot-1 bruiser from Potosi, Mo., has produced wherever he’s lined up; the junior has caught 13 passes for 48 yards, rushed seven times for 48 yards and one TD and returned three kicks for 38 yards.

“He can play multiple positions and it just goes to show how talented of a football player he is,” quarterback Jake Heaps said, “and how fortunate we are to have him on our offense.”

Weis still couldn't provide a clear timetable for Pierson’s return, reiterating the team would be cautious. He did, however, say the junior — who leads the team with 21 catches for 327 yards — would return this season.

“Fortunately the MRI came back negative,” Weis said. “He’s got a headache, a sore neck and walking around like an old man, but other than that there’s nothing wrong with him, which is a good thing.”

FROG WATCH:The Horned Frogs are at the bottom of the Big 12 standings, and right there in total offense (1,607 yards in five games), too.

Inconsistencies aside, Trevone Boykin is a true dual-threat quarterback, with 791 yards passing and 176 on the ground, who has some talent surrounding him.

The Horned Frogs’ defense, however, has been what has kept them in games, even against potent offensive teams. TCU allowed only 77 total points in losses to LSU, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

“I’m as impressed with this defense as any I’ve seen,” Weis said.

DEEP ROUTES: Weis noted that because TCU plays with its safeties so close to the line of scrimmage, there are certain openings in the vertical passing game — one of many areas on offense KU is looking to get going.

“It still comes down to execution,” Weis said, “being able to, when you call for those home runs, being able to hit them.”

Andrew Turzilli and Josh Ford will start at wideout for the Jayhawks, who have only managed 13 catches for 182 yards from their receivers over four games.

HOMECOMING FOR WYATT: KU defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt, who played collegiately at TCU from 1986-89, joked it has been quite some time since he stepped onto the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

“I’ve been back to the school,” Wyatt said. “I went by and have seen some of the facilities and changes they’ve made. It’s a little different than when I was there; obviously they’ve made a little progress. It’ll be good to go back and have some old memories pop up here and there. The good ones, anyway.”